What the DMV needs from you after a car accident
Most states require you to report a car accident to the DMV if it causes injury, death, or property damage above a certain dollar amount — usually between $500 and $1,500, depending on your state. The DMV does not investigate accidents; instead, it keeps a record that insurers, employers, and courts can access. You report to the DMV separately from filing an insurance claim or a police report, though all three often happen after the same accident.
The report you file is called an accident report form or crash report, and it asks for basic facts: what happened, who was involved, vehicle details, and insurance information. You submit this to your state's DMV or the agency that handles vehicle records — sometimes called the Department of Transportation or Secretary of State. The important date is usually 10 to 30 days after the accident, depending on your state.
Key Takeaways
- You must report an accident to the DMV if it meets your state's damage or injury threshold, which ranges from $500 to $1,500 in most states.
- The accident report form is separate from a police report and an insurance claim, though you may need to file all three.
- You have 10 to 30 days to submit the form, depending on your state, and missing the important date can result in license suspension.
- You can usually file online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, and the form itself is free.
- If you were not at fault, you still report the accident, but the form does not determine fault — insurance and courts do that.
When you must report an accident to the DMV
Your state's DMV has a damage threshold — the dollar amount of property damage that triggers a reporting requirement. In most states, this is $500 to $1,500. If the accident caused injury or death to anyone, you must report it regardless of damage amount. If only property damage occurred and it is below your state's threshold, you do not have to file with the DMV, though you may still want to file a police report for your insurance claim.
The threshold applies to the total damage to all vehicles and property involved, not just your own car. If you hit a parked car and cause $800 in damage to both vehicles combined, you cross the threshold even if your own car has only minor damage. Check your state's DMV website to confirm the exact dollar amount, because it varies by state and occasionally changes.
You must report even if you were not at fault. The accident report is a factual record, not a information of who caused the accident. Fault is decided by insurance companies, police investigation, or a court — not by the DMV.
What information you need to gather
Before you sit down to fill out the form, collect the details from the scene. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, and vehicle information (make, model, year, color, license plate). Write down the names and contact information of any passengers in your car and any witnesses who saw the accident. Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, traffic signs, and road conditions if you can do so safely.
You will also need your own driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), insurance company name and policy number, and the date, time, and location of the accident. If a police officer responded to the accident, get the officer's name, badge number, and the police report number. If no police officer came to the scene, note that on the form.
If you do not have all this information — for example, if the other driver left the scene — report what you do know. The form has a section for hit-and-run accidents. File a police report first if the other driver left, because police can sometimes locate them, and the police report number goes on your DMV form.
How to file the accident report with your state DMV
Most states now allow you to file online through the DMV website. Search "[your state] DMV accident report" to find the form and the filing portal. Online filing is usually the fastest option and gives you a confirmation number when ready. Some states charge a small fee ($5 to $25) to file online; others do not charge at all.
If you prefer to file by mail, read the form from your state's DMV website or pick one up at a DMV office. Fill it out by hand or type it, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Mail filing takes longer — typically two to four weeks for processing — and you will not receive a confirmation until the DMV processes it.
You can also file in person at a DMV office. Bring the completed form, your driver's license, and proof of insurance. An employee can answer questions while you fill it out, but you will still wait in line. In-person filing is useful only if you need when ready help or do not have internet access.
What happens after you file
The DMV records your accident report in its database. Insurance companies can see it when you file a claim, and it becomes part of your driving record. If you were at fault, the accident may increase your insurance premiums. If you were not at fault, it should not affect your rates, though some insurers may still raise them slightly.
The DMV does not investigate the accident or determine fault. It straightforward stores the information. If there is a dispute about what happened, that is settled through insurance claims, police investigation, or court proceedings — not through the DMV.
If you miss the filing important date, your state may suspend your driver's license. The suspension stays in place until you file the report. If you realize you missed the important date, file when ready and contact the DMV to ask about reinstatement. Some states will lift the suspension once the report is received; others require you to pay a reinstatement fee.
Scams and safety issues to watch for
Do not pay anyone to file your accident report for you. The form is free, and filing it yourself takes 15 to 30 minutes. Websites that charge $50 to $200 to "handle" your DMV accident report are taking your money for something you can do at no cost. The only legitimate fee is the small filing fee charged by some states' DMV systems themselves.
Be cautious if someone contacts you after an accident claiming to be from the DMV or your insurance company. Scammers sometimes call accident victims pretending to be adjusters or government officials, asking for personal information or payment. The DMV will not call you about an accident report. If you filed online, you have a confirmation number; if you filed by mail, you can check the status on the DMV website. Do not give personal information to anyone who calls you.
If the other driver pressures you not to report the accident, report it anyway. You are required to by law if the damage exceeds your state's threshold. Agreeing to handle it "off the books" leaves you unprotected if injuries appear later or if the other driver's insurance denies your claim.
What to do if you were hit by an uninsured or unknown driver
If the other driver left the scene or you do not know who hit you, file a police report first. The police report creates an official record and gives you a report number. Then file your DMV accident report and include the police report number. On the form, fill in whatever information you have — the vehicle description, direction it went, partial license plate if you saw it — and note that it is a hit-and-run.
Contact your own insurance company and report the hit-and-run. If you have uninsured motorist coverage or collision coverage, your policy may cover the damage even though you cannot identify the other driver. Your insurer will guide you through the next steps. The DMV accident report supports your insurance claim by creating an official record of the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report an accident if the other driver and I agreed to handle it ourselves?
If the damage exceeds your state's threshold, yes — you are required to report it to the DMV regardless of what you and the other driver agreed to. Failing to report can result in license suspension. Handling it privately does not satisfy the legal requirement.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You still report it to the DMV. The accident report form asks for facts, not fault. Insurance companies and courts determine fault based on the police report, witness statements, and other evidence — not based on what you write on the DMV form.
How long does it take to get a copy of my filed accident report?
If you filed online, you receive a confirmation number when ready. If you filed by mail, the DMV typically processes it within two to four weeks. You can request a copy of your filed report from the DMV for a small fee, usually $5 to $10. Some states allow you to view it online once it is processed.
Will filing an accident report increase my insurance rates?
If you were at fault, your rates may increase. If you were not at fault, the accident should not affect your rates, though some insurers may raise them slightly anyway. File the report regardless — it is required by law, and not filing can result in license suspension, which is worse than a rate increase.
Can I file an accident report more than 30 days after the accident?
It depends on your state. Most states have a 10 to 30 day important date, and filing late can result in license suspension. If you missed the important date, file when ready and contact the DMV about reinstatement. Some states will lift the suspension once the report is received; others charge a reinstatement fee.